Softball: Class 6A state semifinal preview — May 26

State Semifinals

All games are played at Legends Way Fields in Clermont. Tickets are $9 in advance and $12 the day of the game. Parking is $10 for cars and $25 for buses

Class 6A

Land O’ Lakes (19-11) vs. Pace (27-1), 11 a.m., today

How they got here: Land O’ Lakes d. Punta Gorda Charlotte 10-7 (eight innings), d. Mitchell 4-1, d. Bloomingdale 3-0 (10 innings). Pace d. Niceville 11-0, d. Oviedo 11-1, d. Hagerty 10-1.

Stat Leaders
CategoryLand O’ LakesPace
Batting averageMakenna Bellaire, .409Shelby McKenzie, .562
Home runsTwo tied with threeShelby McKenzie, 12
RBIsThree tied with 17Shelby McKenzie, 39
ERAAliana Mercado, 1.96Mallory Baker, 0.13
StrikeoutsAliana Mercado, 160Jayden Heavener, 269

Outlook

Land O’ Lakes is in the state semifinals for the second time in the past three seasons. After going through a 3-7 slump earlier this season, the Gators bounced back to win seven of their last nine games. They also know to play in marathon contests. Three of their last four games have gone to extra innings. Land O’ Lakes prevailed in two of them, including a victory over Bloomingdale in the region final that went 10 innings. To make their second championship game appearance in the past three seasons, the Gators will have to get past a worthy opponent. Pace is ranked first in the class and state and third nationally by MaxPreps. In the playoffs, the Patriots have been on a tear, winning their three games by a combined 32-2.